The Masked Baron

by Anneka Walker

  Andalin did not agree. It was not splendid, as Matilda had called it, if Andalin was simply a convenient tool to fix other’s problems at her own expense. She had needs of her own. “On second thought, I might return to the others after all.”

  Matilda’s eyes blinked rapidly. “Well, ye were easier to convince than I thought ye would be.”

  Andalin put her arms around Matilda. “At least I shall always know you love me.”

  Instead of returning like Andalin had said she would, she fetched her cloak and slipped out the front door. It wasn’t Eliana who did not belong. It was Andalin. She would speak with Ellison, but right now she needed space to breathe and think. She went straight to the stables to visit Ginger and the dogs. But she never made it. A hand snaked over her mouth, and her world went dark.

  Chapter 27

  “So what is the news? Is Thornton Way’s tailor still hiding out at his neighbor’s?” Kerrigan joked.

  Ellis rolled his eyes and shut his study door behind them. “No doubt he fled to Scotland. Good riddance. The town is ever as it was. They loathe me and likely will even without my mask.”

  Kerrigan eyed him. “You could have told me this in the other room. What do you really want to talk to me about?”

  Ellis folded his arms across his chest. “Your love life.”

  Kerrigan smirked. “This should be entertaining.” Kerrigan took a seat across from Ellis’s large desk and propped his feet up on the wood. “The social reprobate has come to counsel me on my modes of wooing a lady. You might not like poetry, but most women do.”

  Ellis shook his head. “Not how to woo but whom to woo.”

  Kerrigan eyed him suspiciously. “Go ahead.”

  “First,” Ellis said, leaning forward across his desk, “might I ask what your feelings are toward my sister?”

  Kerrigan chuckled. “She is home a little more than a day, and you are already acting the role of the protective older brother.”

  Ellis rolled his eyes. “You’re monopolizing Miss Durante’s attention and flirting with my sister on the side.”

  Kerrigan hesitated. He picked at a chip on the arm of his chair. “I’m still trying to sort things out myself. You know how it was when we were younger.”

  “You were never shy until my sister was around, and then you’d get tongue-tied and stumble all over yourself.”

  Kerrigan slowly shook his head. “I was an idiot. I always regretted not telling Eliana how I felt then. I hoped and prayed for years you would succeed and I would get my chance. I finally came to terms that it would never happen. You can’t blame me for being confused with Eliana’s return.”

  Ellis loved Kerrigan like a brother. It was hard to imagine ruining his happiness at the same time as securing his own. He felt a little guilty, but he had fully intended to punch Kerrigan in the nose as soon as he was out of view from the others.

  “I can’t force you to care for someone or not care for someone. You have been a companion and family to me for so long, and I feel like a heel for pressing you like this. The problem is I cannot let you continue your attentions toward Miss Durante. Eliana, on the other hand, I fully encourage.”

  Kerrigan dropped his feet to the ground. “Is it because of her family? With Mr. Crow out of the picture, your plan is perfect. No one need know of her father’s fall from Society, and we both know her blood is good, not that I care an ounce. And, need I remind you, neither do you.”

  “No, it isn’t that.” Ellis took a deep breath. “It’s because I want to marry her myself.”

  “I don’t believe it,” Kerrigan said, gawking at him. “Just weeks ago you were throwing us together every chance you had. You said yourself you aren’t a dictator of hearts. You can’t encourage one relationship and then demand I drop it and start another. We’re the closest of friends, but this is going a bit too far even for you. I hope this isn’t because you suddenly have a boost of confidence without that dratted mask. Does Miss Durante even have a say in this?”

  Ellis ran his hand through his hair. This was a mess. “Of course she does. I admit I never thought myself worthy of her, mask or no mask, but she has had my heart for some time.”

  Silence fell between them for a few moments. Ellis knew his friend was angry with him, and he could only imagine he would feel even more betrayed when he and Annie announced their engagement.

  Kerrigan ground his teeth together and then blew out his pent-up breath. “I want to stay angry with you, but I cannot. You have pricked my conscience for loving two women at the same time.”

  “I beg you to think in Eliana’s direction,” Ellis said. “I know she once cared for you a great deal, and I am confident the feelings renewed in your heart are for a reason.”

  Kerrigan rolled his eyes. “Do you know something I don’t? Because she seems awfully on edge for someone interested in me.”

  Ellis shrugged. “She can hardly stand to speak with me, so I can’t claim to guess her feelings on anything. But would you regret not acting on the possibility of something happening between the two of you?”

  Kerrigan thought about it. “It’s been so long, and we have both changed a great deal. The idea of something might be more appealing than the reality.”

  “And could you be all right with the idea of Annie and me?”

  Kerrigan gave half a smile. “Annie, is it? And all this time I thought you cared for her as a sister.”

  “I often treated her as one, so I am not surprised you thought it. But no, my feelings for her are anything but brotherly.”

  “If there is love between the two of you, then I would have to be all right with it, wouldn’t I?”

  Ellis eyed his friend, trying to gauge his true feelings. “Good, because I can’t stand to see you read poetry to my future wife.”

  Kerrigan’s chuckle turned into an outright laugh. He slapped his knee with amusement. “It wasn’t working anyway.”

  “I won’t try it myself, then,” Ellis added.

  “No, but she does enjoy dancing.”

  Ellis grimaced. “Poetry might be a wiser alternative for me.”

  Kerrigan smiled, stood, and then slapped his friend across the back. “It’s good to see you looking forward for a change.”

  Ellis put his hand on Kerrigan’s shoulder. “You have stood by me for a long time.”

  “We can weather a few problems with the ladies after what we’ve been through.”

  Ellis hoped Kerrigan would be as understanding when he learned how serious he was about marrying his Annie. After Kerrigan left to join the others, Ellis sank into his chair, relieved. The worst was over. Now he could continue with his plans to fix everything with Annie. He slipped down to the kitchen to make a few surprise arrangements with Mrs. Lewis and Matilda before anyone could miss him.

  “The room’s been prepared. It’s all in order,” Matilda explained. “Ye’re not to worry about a thing.”

  “Excellent,” Ellis said, blowing out his breath.

  “I thought you came in here chasing after Miss Durante.”

  “Miss Durante? Was she here?”

  “Just missed her.”

  “I wonder why she left the party.” Ellis had removed Lord Kerrigan from the room, so why else would she need to sneak away?

  “If you ask me, she’s feeling a little out of sorts.”

  Ellis sighed. “I don’t doubt it. There is a great deal to adjust to.”

  “It’s not my place to advise . . .”

  “Come now, Matilda. If you have something to say, say it.”

  “Miss Durante needs reassuring now. Time is not going to heal what’s hurting her tonight.”

  Ellis did not need to be told twice. He’d not had more than a moment alone with her, and he knew she must be vulnerable after his hurried apology. He left the kitchen and went toward the drawing room.

/>   “Your lordship,” Mr. Lewis said from the direction of his study.

  “Yes?”

  “I saw Miss Durante slip outside a few moments ago. I almost followed her but then decided to check with ye first. I hope I did right.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Lewis. I shall go myself.”

  Not bothering to don an overcoat, he hurried out. It was late afternoon, and the sky was overcast and looking to rain. He went to the stables first, hoping Annie had chosen a reprieve with a roof. He pulled the stable door open, and he noticed the strange absence of barking dogs. Once inside, he saw Birks sprawled on the ground, with red oozing from the back of his head.

  Ellis dropped to his knees and turned Birks over. “Come on! Wake up!” He checked for a pulse. Still alive! The man needed a heavy bandage. Ellis saw a scarf, no doubt knitted by Hannah, hanging by the door. He grabbed it and did his best to slow the bleeding with the knotted fabric, all while his mind raced.

  One thing he knew for certain: this was not done by a witch.

  “My lord,” Birks whispered. His eyes started to pull open, but he was still dazed.

  Ellis grabbed some water and hurried back to help Birks take a drink. “Stay with me, man.” After two short sips, Birks turned his head away, exhausted.

  “The owner came back for . . . the dogs,” Birks whispered. “Men . . . they attacked me from behind.”

  “I am going to fetch Mr. Lewis,” Ellis said. “But first, I have to know. Did you see Miss Durante?”

  Birks’s heavy eyelids remained open long enough for him to say, “Never saw her.”

  “I’ll be back. You rest.” Ellis raced back to the house and alerted Mr. Lewis, who was waiting by the entrance of the manor. The two of them sprinted back to the stables. Mr. Lewis took over caring for Birks while Ellis saddled his horse. As an afterthought, Ellis pulled on Birks’s old cloak in case Annie had need of it.

  His heart pounded inside him with the force of a hundred galloping horses. He couldn’t ride fast, because he did not know which way to go. The Black Forest was the most likely destination. The kidnappers would need a quick place to lose themselves. His mind conjured up the faces of all the men who despised him. Who could have done this? Could Mr. Crow have escaped? Did he have friends loyal to him, anxious for revenge? Ellis was reliving the nightmare from ten years ago. Only, this time he could not fail.

  Chapter 28

  At the forest edge he found a trail. He dropped from his horse to examine the ground and scratched at the scruff on his jaw, completely baffled. Were these from yesterday? He did not know which direction Kerrigan and Mr. Lewis had taken for their so-called shortcut. But it was the only lead he had, so he mounted again and pushed forward into the trees.

  Ellis led his horse at a painfully slow pace, searching for recent signs of disturbance. He had traveled this way himself often enough that the ground cover was worn down, long ago trampled into a dirt path.

  “Who are you?”

  Ellis whirled around to see Mr. Brennan; his brother, Mr. David Brennan; and two others from town he barely recognized. The elder Mr. Brennan put his hands on his hips and stared expectantly at Ellis. They must’ve had their horses stashed somewhere else and doubled back. They had caught him completely unaware.

  These men had had a vendetta against Ellis since he had maimed Mr. David Brennan a few years back. But they clearly did not recognize him without his mask and wearing Birks’s worn cloak. He tried to disguise his voice as he answered, “I am the new footman, gone to search for a woman missing from the great house.”

  “What are you thinking, working for such a monster? I would think twice about going back if I were you. Look what he did to my little brother just because David was better looking.” Mr. Brennan held up his brother’s stump, but David pulled back, annoyed. “That man can’t stand anyone who looks half decent because it reminds him of how hideous his own face is.”

  Ellis ground his teeth together. He wanted nothing better than to wield his sword and fight the conceited imbecile, but he had to keep his head. “Have you seen a missing woman?”

  “Aren’t you listening?” Mr. Brennan spat on the ground. “Apparently, you care more for money than having a reputable master.”

  Ellis shrugged, falling back into the years of playacting as the Dark Rider. “Everyone has to eat.”

  Mr. Brennan growled. “Tell that no-good beast to come look for his friends himself. We’ll be waiting right here for him when he does.”

  Ellis looked back at the house. He needed to hurry this charade up before the sun went down and the rain started. “I don’t know. I think you might have something there about my master. He can be quite fierce. I wouldn’t want my face marred or worse. I’ve got a lady friend I want to marry. How about you let me work for you instead?”

  Mr. Brennan folded his arms across his chest. “You do look strong enough to take care of yourself. You could undoubtedly take on the Dark Rider better than any of us.” Mr. Brennan’s tongue rolled around in his mouth. “That is, if you have the courage to back up your muscle.”

  Ellis tried his best to appear sheepish. “I’m just a footman.”

  One of the men Ellis couldn’t name tapped Mr. Brennan on the shoulder and whispered something into his ear.

  Mr. Brennan huffed. “It seems Hans here recognizes his lordship’s blood horse. He never goes anywhere without him. Explain yourself.”

  Ellis thought quickly. “I’m new here. I didn’t know it was the Dark Rider’s horse. I liked the looks of this one, so I took him. Not to worry, because I have an idea. What say you take the horse instead of the woman? I’ve heard the Dark Rider doesn’t care for anyone but himself. On the other hand, it sounds like he likes this horse a great deal. He’d probably be more riled up about the horse than a useless person.”

  David elbowed his brother. “Footman’s probably right. His horse has got to be mighty valuable to him.”

  “Shut your mouth! I told you I was making the decisions here.” Mr. Brennan dug his foot into the ground. “All right. I’ll take his horse from you. Maybe when he sees I have his lady friend and his horse, he’ll see reason.”

  Ellis was realizing too late that he had underestimated Mr. Brennan. The man was smarter than Ellis had figured him to be. He had, after all, managed to sneak into the manor house, nearly kill Birks, and kidnap Annie.

  “What do you mean reason? What exactly do you want from his lordship?”

  Mr. Brennan frowned. “Did I say it was any of your business?”

  Ellis shrugged again, trying to keep his nonchalant act going. “No, but I do not want to hand over this nice piece of horseflesh for nothing.”

  “You want to know so badly? I will tell you. I want his blasted money, I want his lands, and by George, I wouldn’t mind his title. He didn’t just maim my brother; he embarrassed him. He humiliated my whole family. My own mother can’t bear to go to church.

  “And after I take all his worldly possessions from him, I will rip his dignity from him too. I will tear his mask from his face and make him live the rest of his miserable existence out in shame. Then, just maybe, I’ll feel we are even.” Mr. Brennan was breathing heavily by the time he was done speaking. He yanked his head backward and yelled, “Someone had better gag the girl before I knock her out again. I can hear her coming to.”

  Hans turned to do Mr. Brennan’s bidding. David walked a few paces back with him but then stopped, likely not wanting to miss out on the fun. That left three men, but only two were close enough for Ellis to fight. He had what he wanted to know—Annie was alive and hidden not too far off. He gauged the position and physique of each men he faced. The Brennans were trim, but the third was short and pudgy. He had fought in more-difficult situations before, only this time more was at stake than just his life. He couldn’t help but think of Annie before he pulled out his sword.

  The bl
ade seemed to whisper through the air as he charged Mr. Brennan’s back. He was close enough to cut at his belt before Mr. Brennan was completely aware of what was happening. The belt held a pistol, and before Mr. Brennan could reach for it, Ellis used the end of his sword to pick the belt up and swing it high, where it landed in a branch, far from reach. Ellis noted movement in his peripheral vision—David, rearing his arm back to throw something. Ellis sensed the knife without actually seeing it and ducked. He said a silent prayer of gratitude as he heard it sink into the tree behind him with a whack. That was close . . . much too close.

  Ellis received a swift kick from Mr. Brennan, which sent him sprawling backward to the ground. He managed to keep hold of his sword, which was fortunate since the third man charged at him with a heavy stick while he was still down. Ellis jumped to his feet and sparred with him, keeping the shorter man between himself and the Brennans so they could not surround Ellis. It was nothing like fencing. He knocked the stick from the man’s hand and, with the butt of his sword, rendered the man unconscious.

  When the shorter man fell, Ellis saw David aiming a blunderbuss—an ugly gun Ellis preferred not to be shot with—at his chest. The weapon made it necessary for David to get closer for a deadly shot. Mr. Brennan yelled at him to stand back, but David was incensed, as men often got in the heat of battle. Ellis recognized this as his chance to change the cards to his favor.

  He made a show of moving as though putting his sword away.

  “See? I told you I had him,” David gloated.

  When David relaxed his posture, Ellis jumped slightly to the right to avoid getting shot and used his sword to knock the blunderbuss from David’s hand. He sliced at David’s good wrist, and the weapon dropped. David shouted and curled up in pain. Ellis lunged forward and wrapped an arm tightly around David’s neck, his sword hand keeping the weapon’s edge to David’s throat. With panting breaths, Ellis demanded, “Your brother’s life for the woman you hold captive. Now!”